Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Yesterday I had my routine 34 week appointment. I've gained 14 pounds ( I knew the scale was wrong last time!) I assumed I was cruising along as expected. But yesterday Dr. R said I had been measuring small (that was news to me) so she sent me for an ultrasound today just to check everything. I wasn't too terribly worried about it. Carter always measured 1-2 weeks smaller than what I was supposed to be. But with everything else that has gone on this pregnancy, I couldn't help be a little paranoid. I was so glad Theo was able to go. I think he went mostly because he was afraid I'd find out the baby's gender and not tell him! Ha!

25 weeks and 34 weeks

It was such a wonderful thing to see our sweet baby's face again. How different he or she looks from the last ultrasound at 25 weeks. The baby is about 4 pounds right now and is in the 37% for growth. So everything looks great! My placenta and amniotic fluid are normal and the tech says the baby has a headful of hair! Maybe the whole lots of hair and heartburn thing is actually true this time. I've never really had heartburn before but this pregnancy has been totally unlike either of my other pregnancies!

Sorry about the quality of the pictures but I took a picture of the pictures so it's not great. In this one, the baby is puckering up and I think looks a lot like Olivia in my opinion.

Monday, December 20, 2010

I've been so behind with this blog. I figure it's probably more interesting to see pictures of Carter and Livie than my rapidly expanding belly!

Things have been going smoothly. I'm now going to the OB every two weeks. My last visit was two weeks ago. I go back tomorrow. But at my last visit, I had gained 15 pounds, the baby's heartrate was 136 and we briefly talked about induction. I was so set against being induced with Carter and Olivia. And I ended up giving in (sort of) with Olivia being 5 days late (although technically, I only had my water broken and things progressed from there). But this go around, I feel like I want to be more in control. I know it's because of everything with my heart and I'm being overly paranoid and I KNOW everything will be fine. But I always have morbid dreams right before I am about to give birth. I did with Carter and Olivia so I'm sure this time is no different. Anyway, Theo's mom is planning on coming although no plane tickets have been purchased so we'll see. I am most concerned with having someone to watch Carter and Olivia while I'm in labor. So if that means I have to get induced to make that happen, I am totally fine with that!

Here is my growing belly:

I forgot to take a 32 week picture so this is at 31 weeks and 33 weeks.

Friday, November 26, 2010

10 more weeks to go! I had a routine OB appointment on Wednesday. I've gained 12 pounds total. The baby's heartbeat was 156. My diabetes screening came back normal. Everything is going as planned so far! From now on, I go every two weeks! Whoa. That really makes me feel like everything is happening so quickly!

I'm so excited to find out whether we're adding another son or daughter to our family. Theo and I both think it's a girl. Carter thinks it's a boy and so does Omaw! We'll see in a couple of more months. What fun!

Friday, November 12, 2010

12 weeks to go! Man, that's amazing. I'm starting to get a little uncomfortable. I'm trying not to complain because this may be the last time I ever get to experience a little life growing inside of me and I want to be grateful for all of it! But the baby is moving and kicking so much I feel like I have bruises on the top of my abdomen. I remember feeling like that with Olivia too. I just might have a gymnast on my hands :)

I still haven't heard back about my glucose screening so I'm assuming I don't have gestational diabetes. I should be going back for a regular check up in the next week or so.

Some of my maternity jeans are getting a little snug! I can still wear some of my non maternity sweaters for now which is great seeing as how it's 15-30 degrees here right now! I have a lot of coats that I can hopefully make it through the winter with. I hate to go out and buy a bunch of new clothese in case we don't decide to have another one.

Anyway, not much else to report. My days have been consumed with house hunting and that's about all I can handle right now. But I'm so excited to meet our new little one in the next couple of months!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The time is just flying by faster and faster. Now that I am actually able to sit back and enjoy the pregnancy without thoughts of something being wrong with the baby, the weeks are flying by!

I can't wait to find out if we're having a son or daughter. I have always assumed I would have another daughter. But I'll be thrilled either way. It's fun having this element of surprise.

I will not however be nesting much this go round. As with Olivia, we'll be moving right before this baby's born so there will be no nursery setting up or putting away the baby clothes. That makes me a little sad but there is nothing we can do about it at this point. We at least hoped to be moved before the baby comes. We have had one stress after another this past year. I'm hoping I've shielded the baby from it all. I try so hard to provide a good "environment" for him/her but all of this stress (and the boxes of brownies I've consumed) are probably not helping.

I did go for my glucose test this week. I didn't hear anything from my OB's office so I can only assume everything went fine. But just in case, I've stepped up my junk food eating in the event I may have to give it up :) Ha!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Another late post....what can I say, we've had a really stressful week in our house and taking picture of my pregnant belly hasn't been top priority. But I digress....

Not much new to report. I had a regular OB appointment and everything is going as expected. I will go do my glucose screening test soon. I'm not too worried about it since I've never had any trouble before. But with the way things are going, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if I did have gestational diabetes this time!

I've gained 10 pounds! Whoa Nelly! I better slow down. I don't feel that big. I am wearing a lot of my non maternity winter clothes for now. I don't know how much longer that will last. But I don't have many sweaters so I'm squeezing (sometimes to the detriment of the threads on these clothes!) into some of my non maternity winter stuff.

I am having a hard time bending over these days. I get very winded carrying Olivia up and down the stairs. But overall, I feel pretty good. I'm still working out. But I told the childcare workers that the bigger I get, the more likely I am to skip working out and use my time to sit and read a book! They said it doesn't matter how I use my time as long as I stay in the building!

Because Theo insisted on a belly shot:

And because this former baby bump insisted on taking a picture with his mommy:

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Wooohoooo! 25 weeks along, only 15 weeks to go. In other exciting baby news, my new niece Ava was born today. I am so thrilled to have another precious niece and am so excited for Jackson and Kayla!

We went for our repeat baby echo today and the pediatric cardiologist said everything looks good! Praise the Lord. This has been a difficult time for us and a hard lesson for us all in trusting God but he is so faithful! I'm hoping our appointments with the high risk OBs are now over.

And because I'm feeling skinny today, here is a belly shot:

The newest memeber of our family to play peek-a-boo!

Baby must know his or her older brother and sister love that game! :) And is it just me or does this baby look like he/she has huge hands?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Yes, I'm backdating yet another post because I have not been blogging much this past week! Theo actually took this picture on time but I'm just now uploading it to the computer. I will say that even though I'm fully dressed and have make-up on, I didn't spend much of last week that way!

With the stomach virus running rampant in our house, I lost 5 pounds but I'm pretty sure I've gained most of it back already. :)

24 weeks is always a good point in pregnancy for me. I guess it's the NICU nurse in me but I know that if the baby were born right now, he or she would have a good chance of survival, albeit with a lot of problems down the road, but a good chance to live. I pray each time to go to 40 weeks, although 38 sounds good too! But I'm always thankful when I get to the 24 week mark.

Not much new except I will go for the baby's second echo on Wednesday. I'm not at all anxious about it. Carter will be in school and Theo will bring Olivia just like last time.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

I don't have much new to report except my weight gain! I think I've gained a couple of pounds just since last week. Theo keeps buying these delicious brownies from Whole Foods and I keep gobbling them up!

I just may end up with some stretch marks this go round. Oh well, marks of love, right? Either love or brownies. Well, brownies are love in my book :)

Monday, October 4, 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

I actually took a picture this week (well, Theo took it) on Tuesday which is technically when I started week 22! I can't believe I only have 18 weeks left! Whoa. Am I really ready to start all over again? Not much choice now, right? :)

I do know some things I will do differently this time. I will not beat myself up about breastfeeding. I will not kick myself for giving the baby formula if that means I can have a solid night of sleep. I will try my best to nurse successfully. But if my past record is any indication, my babies don't always thrive on breastmilk. And I am not going to go 9 months without sleep before giving in to formula!

I will relinquish all hope of having a natural childbirth. Again, the whole past record speaks volumes. And now that I have this whole aneurysm thing, I think I'll be a wee bit paranoid. Despite the cardiothoracic surgeon telling me all will be fine and I don't need any extra precautions, I can't help but wonder.

I will not spend a lot of money on newborn, or 0-3 month baby clothes. Olivia was stuck under a blanket in her carseat the whole time so what was the point in having her dressed cute? Plus, we already have boy and girl clothes. I will save my clothes money for when he or she is not confined to the carseat and people can actually see my well-dressed baby! :)

I will try very hard not to complain my last trimester about all of my aches and pains. Since there is a goodd chance I may never be pregnant again after this, I really don't want to take a minute of it for granted. Easy to say now that I'm only 22 weeks and relatively comfortable until I try to bend over!

My friend Amy and I were talking the other day and I was telling her how much more mellow I am the second time around (with Olivia). I have a more "if it ain't gonna hurt you or destroy the house, then what the heck" kind of mentality now. She said by the time baby #3 is here, I'll be so mellow I'll be borderline comatose! Ha!

If I would have known with Carter what I know now, I would have been soooooo less anxious! I have taken the kids out to eat by myself several times. With Carter, I was so paranoid to take him places by myself for fear I wouldn't know how to handle if he had a meltdown. With Olivia, I just knew when to go out and when to stay in and tried to work around her little schedule. At least as a brand new baby. And things flowed so much more smoothly. Since this baby is due in the middle of winter, I don't imagine we'll be making too many outings anyway at first.

So those are my thought this week. I'm trying to document as much as I can so I can cherish this time years from now. Have a good week!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I am trying to get back on track of taking pictures on time (instead of when I'm 20 weeks and 6 days like I have been!)

I had a routine OB appointment and everything is going as expected. The baby's heartrate is good but I keep forgetting to ask her the rate and she doesn't voluntarily tell me :(. I have gained about 4 pounds which was surprising to me considering I lost a few last week.

The baby is moving around like crazy. I tried to get Theo to feel the baby move the other night while we were in bed but he says he didn't feel it. I don't know how, it felt like I was a punching bag!

I should be going back for my repeat baby echo in the next 3-4 weeks or so. I'm not near as anxious about it as I was before our last ultrasound. But I'm still praying for a healthy baby.

No more crazy dreams for me lately which is a little unfortunate since I was dreaming about a total hottie! This weekend I dreamed about football and shopping at Whole Foods! I'm crazy. But you all already know that.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Friday, September 10, 2010

Yes, I am backdating this post because I kept forgetting to do it. I'm actually 20 weeks as I'm writing this post. But I don't want to leave any weeks out if I can help it.

It's hard to believe the halfway point is here. I've had a lot of thoughts recently that maybe I will have a 4th. But I have to keep reminding myself that it does NOT have to be decided today. Once I'm done nursing again and sleeping through the night, it might be hard to have another one :)

I'm not sure how much I've gained so far. I haven't weighed myself in a while but I imagine it's still just a couple of pounds. I'm in mostly maternity clothes which allows me to breathe much easier now. I can see the baby kick now and am waiting for Theo and I to be sitting still long enough to where he can see it too!

I'm glad we decided to not find out the baby's gender. It's going to be a fun surprise. These next several weeks are just going to fly by. And before too long, we'll get to meet our sweet precious baby!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Today is finally the day I have been looking forward to and dreading all at the same time. We had our big ultrasound and echo of the baby's heart (basically one big ultrasound). The ultrasound itself took an hour. They were very detailed in all their measurements. Then the perinatologist (high-risk OB) came in and spoke to us.

Most everything looks good. There are some bright spots on the bowel that they weren't too concerned with. I'm pretty sure the baby doesn't have down syndrome. The second test said my risk was 1 out of 48,000! She said it doesn't get much better than that.

The baby's heart is about the size of a fingernail right now so they can't conclusively rule out every heart defect. They can, and did, rule out any life threatening ones. They are a little suspicious of the baby having a ventricular septal defect which is the same defect Carter has. So I have to go back in 6 weeks for another echo and to meet with a pediatric cardiologist. Other than that, there is nothing they are concerned about. And I/we are totally prepared for a VSD...been there, done that! I'm hoping that is all it is. We both felt relief but were really hoping all of these appointments would be done. Oh well, the big weight of worry has been lifted off of our shoulders.

At the last minute, Theo and I decided to find out the sex of the baby and we are happy to say it's a

SURPRISE! Hahahaha! Just kidding, we didn't find out! :) I know some of you all will be mad but that's okay. I'm feeling like a prankster today.

I have a couple of pictures but don't have time to scan them and upload them right now. It's birthday party mode and I still have a lot to do! Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

(and 2 days!) The most exciting thing this past week was that yesterday I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat with my stethescope! It took some time to find it and time for my stomach to stop making such noise but when I did finally hear it, it was so amazing. I haven't been able to hear it again. But this morning, I could hear the baby kicking. It sounded like a loud thump every time I felt the baby move. So neat!

Belly shot:

I have made the switch mostly to maternity clothes. Well, pants and shorts at least. My friend Amy lent me all her maternity clothes so I feel like I have a new wardrobe. I only have a couple of winter clothes that mom got for me and I'm hoping not to have to buy any. Amy's last son was born in December so I think she's got me covered! The maternity shirts are still too big and I can fit into most of my non-maternity shirts. I am much more comfortable. The problem with most maternity shirts is that I tend to stay pretty slim through my waist/chest while I'm pregnant so when I put on a maternity shirt, I look like a big whale! And what pregnant girl wants that? I am very blessed to have good "pregnancy genes"! I don't have any stretch marks from my last two pregnancies (from puberty, yes! but from pregnancy, no) so I don't anticipate having any this time either. According to my home scale, I've only gained a pound but on my doctor's scale, it's only 2 pounds. Either way, I feel good about that. And it's sure is not from lack of eating. M&Ms are the devil!!

I'm not really having any pregnancy symptoms except crazy dreams! My one last night featured this guy:

I've been watching Rookie Blue on ABC and he is on the show. Swoon! He's my newest crush. What can I say? In my dream he was my heart surgeon and now for the life of me, I can't picture what my real, non-Hollywood star surgeon actually looks like! I remember him being kinda cute too. But I digress....

Tomorrow is the big ultrasound day. I'm trying so hard not to stress out about it. As long as I'm preoccupied with something else, which I usually am with two kids to chase after, I'm okay. But the moments I'm still and things are quiet, my mind starts to get the best of me. Our appointment is first thing in the morning. Amy offered to keep the kids even though she'll have company in town. I'm going to take her up on it with Carter but Olivia has been so needy this week, we'll just take her with us. I think she'll do fine. It was Carter that I was worried about. I'm so grateful to have such good friends! Please pray for us that we will have a good report. And as soon as I'm home, I'll let you all know how it went!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I don't have a picture yet to share because Theo hasn't been home at a time when I was dressed and had make-up on this week I finally got the tripod out and took a picture of myself! :) I am 17 weeks and 2 days today. Things are flying by. I feel like this pregnancy, despite all of it's waiting, has gone by so fast. I'm not ready to be almost half way over with it yet.

I feel good except for this awful rash I have. I've had this terrible itchy rash for the past couple of weeks. Long story short, I went to see a dermatologist today and it looks like a contact dermatitis that has bascially exploded over most of my body. So I got a nice steroid shot in the bottom (gosh, it's been forever since I had a shot there!) and a prescription for some strong steroid ointment. I'm hoping this will help because the itching is out of control! My doctor's appointments keep racking up! I hope our insurance doesn't drop me :)

I have gained 2 pounds. I'm still not in maternity clothes yet but probably will make the switch next week. Sometimes I look like I'm really pregnant, other times it's not that noticeable. The baby is moving around a lot, some days more than others. I love it!! The baby weighs about 5 ounces now and is about 5 inches long!

I am looking forward to and dreading our ultrasound at the same time. It's such a conflicting set of emotions. I'm less anxious about it than I was...especially with a normal quad screen. But I need more reassurance than a blood test. I'm praying and the Lord knows my heart so I'm trusting him and in his plan for all of our lives.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Today I got a call saying my quad screen came back normal! Praise God! I wasn't anxious until last night. And then I started stressing. I had a dream I met with a doctor and was told the baby has Transitional Shoulder Syndrom. And no, this is not a real diagnosis! The baby was going to only be born with one shoulder. Huh??? Thank you hormones for all of the crazy dreams I've been having lately.

Next hurdle...ultrasound and echo. Please keep us in your prayers because I am anxious about this!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

I am feeling better and better everyday. Not that I was feeling bad before, but I am glad I have some energy. I have been very productive the past several days and it feels good!

I had my quad screen drawn yesterday and should hopefully have the results by Friday. I'm not too stressed out about it since the first trimester screen was normal. I also have my fetal echo and high risk ultrasound on September 3rd. I can't say I'm not stressed out about that one. I am. But I am trying so hard to lean on my heavenly Father's arms and rest in His peace.

I'm pretty sure we are set on not finding out with we're having a boy or girl. I think I can wait....but we'll see! The most important thing for us is having a healthy baby. That is what we're praying so hard for....boy or girl, it's already been decided.

Speaking of babies, I can't believe our other baby is almost one! I've been super busy this week working on Olivia and Carter's birthday party plans. I'll blog more about that on my other blog! Have a great week :)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Had a good appointment this morning. Baby's heartbeat was 138. At our 10 week ultrasound it was in the 160s so I'm not sure what to think in terms of the baby's gender. I know the heartrate is really an old wivestale anyway!

She said I don't have to come back every week since I'm feeling baby move now. She was really just doing that for my peace of mind. I'm sure I'm the most paranoid pregnant patient she has right now!

I gained a pound! That will make Theo happy. So maybe I really am as big as I look in that picture and I'm just in denial :)

I will call the high risk OB office tomorrow and hopefully get my appointment for the ultrasound/fetal echo. Theo is potentially going to New York next month so I want to do it before he goes out of town.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I know this probably isn't the first time I've said this nor will it be the last time, but I PROMISE, I am not as big as a I look in this picture! Ha! To my own defense, I had just eaten a big bowl of gumbo so I'm hoping that's why I look like Shamu! I'm still in my regular clothes (except my khaki maternity capris b/c my regular kapris don't fit!). I'm trying to hang on for a couple more weeks to get good use of my new summer clothes!

It's hard to believe I'm already 15 weeks. The first trimester went by pretty fast. I think the fact I didn't have any morning sickness made it so much better. I hope the next four weeks will go by even quicker so we can find out if everything is okay with the baby.

I have a regular OB appointment tomorrow even though I was just there less than a week ago. I am definitely feeling the baby move now! I probably have been but it's hard for me to find time to lay down, be still, and concentrate. When I do find those moments, I feel little one squirming around. Sunday night, Theo and I went out on a date to see a movie (Salt) and the baby was really moving then. I don't think baby like the loud noises. Exactly a year ago we went to see GI Joe for Theo's birthday and I was big pregnant with Olivia. She kicked me hard almost the whole time. I think she didn't like all the noises either!

I think Theo and I are almost 100 percent decided we aren't going to find out this baby's gender. I think it will be fun to be surprised again. We'll see. I am nothing if not prone to change my mind!

This week, the baby is about 4 inches long and weighs about 2 1/2 ounces (roughly the size of an apple). How exciting to think about the baby growing. I'm really cherishing everything this time knowing it will most likely be the last time I'm ever pregnant. I still go back and forth about having a 4th baby but obviously that won't be decided any time soon! So in case this baby is our last, I want to savor it, appreciate it, cherish it. I remember when I hit about 33 weeks with Olivia, I was so miserable, so emotional, and such a whiny baby! I am going to try very hard not to be that way this time. Pregnancy is such a blessing and I want to relish it all.

I am so excited about having this baby! At first, I was totally overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, questioned how I would manage. But now, I truly am so excited! I can't wait to meet this little bundle of joy. Even though I still have a baby (Olivia!), I am looking forward to starting over again. I won't enjoy breastfeeding around the clock or sleepless nights, but I will try my hardest to remember every good moment of being a mom.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

I am 14 plus weeks today! First trimester is over with only a hint of morning sickness! Can you believe it? I truly can not. I don't know what it's like to be pregnant without throwing up all the time. Well, I guess I know now. Man, if I would have known pregnancy could feel this good....no, I guess I still wouldn't have a 4th :)

I had a regular OB appointment today. It was uneventful. I haven't gained any weight, much to the dismay of my husband. We heard the baby's strong heartbeat. Dr. R wants me to come every week until I start feeling the baby move more. She assures me everything so far is fine but doesn't want me to be anxious. And if hearing the baby's heartbeat every week or even every day helps me, then she said I should come in. I appreciated what she was trying to do but it may be more anxiety producing to drag the kids across town every week!

I dreaded my appointment today all week. I think because the last few times I've gone to the doctor, I was given bad news. I don't want that to happen again. I'm praying and trying to believe for nothing but good reports here on out. But I can't help but feel gripped by fear and anxiety occassionally. I wasn't going to have Theo come with me but in the event something happens, I want him to be there. He has been my rock through all of this and I don't know what I would do without him.

I feel like I'm being cautiously optimistic about the baby's health. I don't want to pretend that everything is going to be fine and then have a bomb dropped on me. So right now, I'm walking a fine line between trusting God and trying not to worry. I am such a worrywart by nature that I feel like I'm doing pretty good considering what we could potentially be facing. The waiting to know things is by far the hardest part. Waves of knots in my stomach, uncertainty about the baby's future, our future, not knowing what to plan for, thinking our entire lives could be altered, those are all hard to deal with. I will be glad to finally have some answers even if the outcome is less than what we hope for. At least then I'll know what to expect.

Don't get me wrong, I am so relieved the baby's first trimester screen came back normal and the baby will most likely not have Down's or one of the other trisomies. But that one test doesn't rule out a whole list of other possibilities the baby might have. And as far as the baby having a heart defect, it will be another month at least before we know that. One more month of waiting. This is one drawback to being in the medical field....I know enough to make myself dangerous. My tendency is to research everything to death and subsequently make myself literally sick with worry. I've given up researching everything at this point but all I have already seen is still in the back of my mind.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

I just read my mom's comment to post my 13 week with Olivia and my 13 week picture this time. So here is my much bigger belly with Olivia:

And my medium-sized belly this time:

Ironic that I was a lot bigger before considering I haven't lost any weight this time! Also, this time, I am really trying hard to fit into my regular clothes for longer since it's summer. But yesterday, I changed pants/shorts three times before deciding on which ones were most comfortable!

Friday, July 30, 2010

I have had basically no morning sickness this time! That is almost impossible for me to believe. I think God gave me a special grace considering everything else I was dealing with in these early weeks!

I'm not in maternity clothes yet but some of my shorts and pants are getting a little snug. Depending on what time of day it is, sometimes I have a pooch. The less I eat, the better my clothes fit! At 14 weeks with Olivia I was pulling out the maternity clothes. But since I just wore all of them last year, I'm not in a hurry to be sporting them again! I want to wear my cute summer clothes for as long as I can. I don't think I've gained any weight yet. If I have, it's only a half a pound or so. Usually by this point in my otehr pregnancies, I am way underweight from all of the morning sickness. But thankfully, not this time!

I'm sure most of you are aware that the baby may or may not have some medical problems. It's still a little too early to tell. But we are praying and believing for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. And if not, we know God has our best interests at heart.

We are undecided whether or not to find out the baby's gender. At first, I would have said 100% I want to find out. Theo said he didn't. And now, since this will most likely be our last baby, it may be fun for it to be a surprise! Today, I'm leaning towards not finding out. But anyway who knows me, knows I'm prone to change my mind!

I guess the main reason to find out would be to pick out some bedding. But if this baby is anything like Olivia, he/she won't be sleeping in a crib for a few months so I supposed bedding could wait. I think the baby will most likely share a room with Olivia, regardless of gender, even though we do have a 4th bedroom. Right now that room is a guest room and it's nice to have one for when family/friends come to visit. So we'll see. I have a feeling I'm going to be a lot more laid back this pregnancy.

I will write more about my first several weeks but I don't want to put it all out there in my first pregnancy blog post!